led, headed after 2out, kept on
in touch, headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, headed post
always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out
behind, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next
always behind
mid-division, ridden and one paced from 3 out
in touch to halfway, soon behind
in touch to 4th, lost place quickly, tailed off, pulled up 2 out
in touch, headway and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to lead post
close up, challenged 2 out, every chance until no extra close home
Since switching to Colin Tizzard, On Demand has improved out of all recognition but the Cheltenham runner-up faces a stiff task here under a penalty over a trip too short. Sister Sibyl has a nice jumping pedigree and made a winning start over hurdles at Towcester. Lagavara can only improve on last month’s third at Uttoxeter while Toberdowney has come up against useful novices in races at Plumpton and Warwick. VIVE MA FILLE has the size to make a hurdler and she was in good form at the end of the Flat season, finishing second in Listed races at Goodwood and Bath. Mick Channon doesn’t run many over jumps and she may have the class to overcome her lack of experience.
On Demand 33-1 (10-0) Led until 1st, led next, not fluent 5th, driven approaching last, headed flat, held after but kept on gamely, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Briery Queen (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Sister Sibyl (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, 2nd last, led flat, ran on well, readily, won at Towcester 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Tinted Rose (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Bel Esprit (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased winner until 4th, lost place 6th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Port Melon (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Choochoobugaloo 200-1 (10-5) Mistake 1st, always towards rear, 11th of 18, 36 1/4l behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Daytime Ahead (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Last pair, tailed off 4th, never a factor, 6th of 9, 23 1/4l behind Westerbee (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Flow With Eve 100-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Coillte Lass (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Gilly Grace 250-1 (10-5) Led to 5th, prominent until lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 33l behind Capeland (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.
Goodnitesweetheart 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along in modest 3rd after 3 out, hung left and weakened into 4th before next where mistake, 4th of 8, dist behind Ruby Yeats (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Lagavara (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Held up, pecked 1st, jumped slowly 4th, headway when not fluent 2 out, went 3rd flat, stayed on, unable to get on terms, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Poppy Kay (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Lizzie Langton 50-1 (10-10) With leader, lost place quickly before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Star Rider (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Machiavelian Storm (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Made most until 3 out, soon weakened, 17th of 18, dist behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Toberdowney (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway next, every chance after 3 out, ridden before next, no impression on winner flat, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 11l behind Colin's Sister (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
Vive Ma Fille (GER) 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, came centre in straight, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Twitch (9-7) at Bath 1m 6f lst fll stks (1) gf in Oct.
